Atlas Shrugged

In a scrap heap within an abandoned factory, the greatest invention in history lies dormant and unused. By what fatal error of judgment has its value gone unrecognized, its brilliant inventor punished rather than rewarded for his efforts? In defense of those greatest of human qualities that have made civilization possible, one man sets out to show what would happen to the world if all the heroes of innovation and industry went on strike.

While I appreciate many of Scott Brick's audiobooks, he misses the emotional impetus behind the characters and Ayn's incredible grasp of satire. Many of her characters are archetypes, and Hurt just plain understands how she intended them to come across. There are some issues with the audio quality(background noise, etc). This drawback is overwhelmed by the brilliance of his acting. He really brings the book to live. Brick on the otherhand comes across flat, misses the characters emotional states and motivations, and turns a great story less so. I have both versions, but if you only purchase one yourself, select the Hurt version. You will not regret it

The Magic of Recluce: Saga of Recluce, Book 1

Young Lerris is dissatisfied with his life and trade, and yearns to find a place in the world better suited to his skills and temperament. But in Recluce a change in circumstances means taking one of two options: permanent exile from Recluce or braving the dangergeld, a complex, rule-laden wanderjahr in the lands beyond Recluce, with the aim of learning how the world works and what his place in it might be. Many do not survive. Lerris chooses the dangergeld.

Lack of production quality worked against what is excellent narration. I read these books and the sound effects that worked in print had to be duplicated with special effects. Whoosh bap, and clop clop are not lines of dialog. A good producer would have made that call. All that said, a great story, and a must listen.

Leonardo and the Last Supper

Milan, 1496 and 44-year-old Leonardo da Vinci is in a state of professional uncertainty and financial difficulty. For 18 months he has been painting murals in both the Sforza Castle in Milan and the refectory of the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. The latter project will become The Last Supper, a complex mural that took three years to complete on a surface 15 feet high by 20 feet wide. He had never attempted a painting so big, and had no experience with fresco.

Leonardo is a tremendously colorful character from the renaissance, but this book fails to live up to the potential in the story of this legendary artist. It seemed that Mr King lacked a sense for the narrative thrust of the story. The result is a meander of detail. I am a fan of his previous works so I found it deeply disappointing for this one to be so lackluster. If this is your only experience of Ross King, try his other works they are well worth the listen. This one was not

The Fellowship of the Ring: Book One in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

The Fellowship of the Ring, the first volume in the trilogy, tells of the fateful power of the One Ring. It begins a magnificent tale of adventure that will plunge the members of the Fellowship of the Ring into a perilous quest and set the stage for the ultimate clash between the powers of good and evil.

A timeless story. A sensational reader. Never let's go of your attention. And great to listen to again and again. All the essentials of an essential purchase. More than makes up for the credit it costs.

Ghost Story: The Dresden Files, Book 13

When we last left the mighty wizard detective Harry Dresden, he wasn't doing well. In fact, he had been murdered by an unknown assassin. But being dead doesn't stop him when his friends are in danger. Except now he has nobody, and no magic to help him. And there are also several dark spirits roaming the Chicago shadows who owe Harry some payback of their own. To save his friends - and his own soul - Harry will have to pull off the ultimate trick without any magic....

Like many who listened to the free snippet and many a Dresden fan who believes that Marsters is Dresden, I was terribly disappointed he wasn't reading the book. So much so that I almost didn't buy the audiobook. But now having bought and listened to it I have come around 175 degrees. Yes it's not Marsters, but Glover does a magnificent job of capturing the right intonations to keep long time listeners happy. You will recognize the voices of all your favorite characters, just imagine Bob the Skull sounding different. Well he doesn't, Bob is Bob. Murphy is Murphy. etc. It initially sounds a little off, but after a little time Glover becomes Dresden, and his world returns, snarky humor and all.
If your hesitation is the narrator. Hesitate no more.

Ghost Story: The Dresden Files, Book 13 - Free First Chapter

When we last left the mighty wizard detective Harry Dresden, he wasn't doing well. In fact, he had been murdered by an unknown assassin. But being dead doesn't stop him when his friends are in danger. Except now he has nobody, and no magic to help him. And there are also several dark spirits roaming the Chicago shadows who owe Harry some payback of their own. To save his friends-and his own soul-Harry will have to pull off the ultimate trick without any magic...

Marsters made a really good series into a masterpiece. This narrator doesn't even capture the inflections of Harry Dresden, He totally misses the sarcastic style. Been waiting for this book for ages, now I am not even sure I will get the audiobook.

You will enjoy this listen, especially if you have the first two novels. It is missing something, however; a satisfying climax. If that is enough to deter you, you will miss out, as the novel is a gem. Even with the non-explosive climax it is better than either two initial books.

Changes: The Dresden Files, Book 12

Long ago, Susan Rodriguez was Harry Dresden's lover-until she was attacked by his enemies, leaving her torn between her own humanity and the bloodlust of the vampiric Red Court. Susan then disappeared to South America, where she could fight both her savage gift and those who cursed her with it.Now Arianna Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court, has discovered a secret Susan has long kept, and she plans to use it-against Harry.

If you haven't yet listened to the Dresden files, go and start at book 1. You will only appreciate everything that happens here with the full background. If you have read all the Dresden files except this you do not need me to encourage you to purchase Changes. Dresden is addiction more than fiction. And this hit of the Harry Copperfield Blackstone Dresden adventure pipe is ripe with humor, dense with anticipation and emotion, and will leave you suffering from serious heart wrenching withdrawl, fiending for the next installment....if there is one.

Return of the Primitive: The Anti-Industrial Revolution

In the 1960s and early '70s, the most prominent, vocal cultural movement was the New Left: a movement that condemned America and everything it stood for: individualism, material wealth, science, technology, capitalism.

Ayn's razor sharp depiction of the mind set underlying the anti progress progressive green movement is a must listen. Schwartz's essay are passable, though perhaps less intellectually rigorous. Keep in mind this is not an entertaining audiobook. It is a glimpse at a political movement, it's conceptual foundation and the circumstances surrounding their "revolution"

Ender's Shadow

Andrew "Ender" Wiggin was not the only child in the Battle School; he was just the best of the best. In this book, Card tells the story of another of those precocious generals, the one they called Bean, the one who became Ender's right hand, part of his team, in the final battle against the Buggers. Bean's past was a battle just to survive. His success brought him to the attention of the Battle School's recruiters.

Brick is usually a great narrator, but falls a little flat here. If you are interested in this title Christopher Hurt's voices gives more life to the characters, and an edge that makes the the individuals and their nature live in your mind. Brick on the other hand has the same emotional depth no matter whom is speaking. Brick's very dramatic slow style doesn't really seem to totaly relate to the content. You will enjoy this reading, as brick holds your attention, however here is another version you will enjoy more.

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